Countdown to Toulouse (pronounced tu-luz or too lose): 16 days, 7 hours, 43 mins and 21 seconds
Okay, let’s back it up. It’s January 2009, my name is Amy Antonini and I’m starting a new semester in International Studies at the University of Regina. However, this year I’m up for a drastic change. Ready to do something that will further my knowledge of the international spectrum, while still preparing myself for a career in International Affairs. An exchange is on my horizon. After a few weeks of researching and picking and choosing, I decided that an inter-cooperative exchange with the University of Toulouse in Toulouse France is my path. From there, I send my application to the University of Toulouse and to be honest, I forget about the exchange for the next couple months while finals and essays fill my schedule.
May 2009 rolls around and a suspicious letter comes in the mail from France. I open it, it’s completely in French, I think I’ve been accepted however, I still check with my bilingual friend to make sure and she confirms my suspicions. From there, it’s a whirlwind of CampusFrance applications and Visa requirements. Note to anyone applying for a Visa, get it done as soon as possible because it is high stress and time consuming.
July 2009 comes and my Visa is sent to me in the mail. At this point in time, I’m prepared to go to France in terms of my documents and flights but everything else I may need is not quite in order. After careful consideration, I decided a host family would be the best environment for me when I reach France. Once I was set up with a host family, I emailed the family to let them know when I was coming and their response elevated my stress levels when it was blatantly obvious they did not speak a lick of english. However, I’m accepting this fate as an adventure and a stepping stone to improve my French which is limited at best.
August 2009 rolls along and to be honest my preparations are coming along slowly and my anticipation is growing. It was at this time I was approached by Joanne and Shauna from Campion to write this blog to share my experience with the Campion community on the new website.
Now, we’ve come full circle to my first blog post. I will be updating this blog frequently once I reach Toulouse, letting you know of my studies, travels and extracurricular activities. Comment, ask questions, whatever you feel, this will be my outlet make it yours too.
With love and nothing Toulouse,
Amy